In Honor of the Holiday

This last Monday at book club we all shared what our favorite Halloween costume has been. Since we didn't really celebrate Halloween growing up, I didn't have any fond memories of costumes as a child. Last year, however, was quite memorable. Since explaining the costume doesn't really do it justice, I thought I would post it. There is nothing like perpetuating the Arkansas stereotype...

My "Guilty" Pleasures/Confessions

Okay, Shauna, I accept your "tag"!

- I talk in a "baby" voice to my cat...I don't know why. He's just so stinkin' cute that it comes out of me without even thinking about it. I PRAY I don't talk like that to the kids we hopefully have (in about 10 years).

- I have been reading websites on the history of Rome. I am obsessed. My favorite husband has ordered me another history book about Pontius Pilot...I cannot wait to get it!

- I watch the Ashlee Simpson show. (I am so ashamed...I just can't help it....)

- I own all of Celine Dion's cds from about 1990-1997. Shauna, you can borrow any of them! ;)

- I love vacuuming - but you all probably know that now.

- I LOVE personality tests. As much as I hate being "put in a box" I love trying to understand why I do what I do. It helps me relate to others better too.

- I don't know what my real hair color is.

- I am obsessive compulsive. Seriously, ask Chris.

So, now I tag you all!

In the Lines

I spent Saturday with Chris' side of the family watching the OU football game. (yes, the things you do for love) Anyway, I got to hang out with my beautiful niece, Alyssa (she's an artist/Olympic gymnast/Pro-soccer player in the making - of course I am selfishly trying to encourage the artist side). While the game was on she asked me to color with her, so we sat down and took turns coloring from a Toy Story coloring book. I was amazed at how therapeutic it was. Between work and, well life in general, it was so nice to sit down to something that was all lined out - no surprises, rules or sudden changes. I could see the entire picture and could fill in the blank spaces with the colors as I wanted. If only life was that simple some times!

A True Sign of Getting Older

Chris and I bought a new vacuum cleaner last night and you would have thought it was Christmas Day in our house. We both have been talking about and researching vacuum cleaners for the last several weeks b/c my old one no longer sucks - it blows. (literally) So, we took the plunge, spending a more than we normally would have liked to get one that was guaranteed to pick up cat hair. We brought it home, Chris assembled and read the detailed instructions...and then we vacuumed. (Had you told me that I would have been this excited about vacuuming two years ago I probably would have laughed in your face.) Chris vacuumed and I followed him around like a little kid. I will spare you the details of what this miraculous sucking machine pulled up from our floor, but I was astounded. The vacuum was all that it was cracked up to and more. I believe I will write a review on their website this afternoon. And I will probably vacuum again just for kicks.

The Window

I had almost forgotten what it was like to get completely absorbed in a book - it's been way too long since I have read for "pleasure". The other night I picked up a book that Chris got for one of his classes and started to read it. It's called "The Flames of Rome" and it is a historical novel about the events leading up to the Great Fire of Rome, Nero as Caesar, and the first converts to Christianity following the book of Acts. I have not been able to put it down... I am such a dork when it comes to history - especially Roman history.

All that to say, I haven't been sleeping much this week. In theory, I like to read before I fall alseep to help me wind down. Unfortunately though, this book hasn't been condusive to winding down. See, I have this window of time between 10:00-11:15 pm that I can fall asleep without issue. But if I pass that window of time, I get my second wind and I am up till at least 12:30. I have tried to read right up to 11:15, but then I think "just one more chapter" and next thing I know I am wide awake and it's almost 1:00. Luckily it's almost the weekend where the window of sleep is irrelevant since I get to sleep in!